Staff Blog
New chef at The Ugly American
posted by Drew Lazor
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| Photo | Michael T. Regan |
Chef David Gilberg, who opened The Ugly American (1100 S. Front St.), has left the Pennsport gastropub. Owner Kevin Kelly says the parting was amicable, and they worked out a deal to keep Gilberg behind the line until he landed another gig. He’s now cooking at Bar Ferdinand.
Merlot Pagnatti, who’s been the sous chef since UA opened in late fall of 2007, has taken the reins. The menu of reappropriated American regional specialties (try the beef on wick!) is staying pretty much the same, not counting the addition of a few more vegetarian-friendly items — the veg meatballs served in the mushroom po’boy, for example, are now available over Pagnatti’s house-made fettucine. There’s a brand-new veggie sandwich, as well.
Though Kelly has yet to confirm this, we are guessing that Carla Goncalves, Gilberg’s wife who was responsible for the amazing biscuits UA offered in lieu of traditional bread service, has departed too. We’ll update as we hear more.
Photo at right: Gilberg’s venison chili from Elisa Ludwig’s January 2008 review.
